The community of Little River United Church of Christ welcomes you to our labyrinth, a place for spiritual reflection, prayer, and meditation. Set in our wooded grove, it is a place apart from hectic lives. The labyrinth is open in all seasons during daylight hours. We hope that your experience in these peaceful woods will nourish your spirit and offer you a time of peace and healing.

Walking the labyrinth puts contemporary people in touch with a ritual that dates back thousands of years and has appeared in diverse cultures around the globe. In medieval Europe, labyrinths were widely used in cathedrals, designated as alternative pilgrimage destinations for those unable to travel to holy places in far-off lands. In our modern context, the labyrinth is a tool of meditation that can help us experience more deeply how God moves in us and with us on our life’s journey.

A Circle of Stones

The oldest design of labyrinths is the seven-circuit or classical form that is present at Little River.

A labyrinth is different from a maze, having a single path rather than multiple paths and dead ends. In a maze we lose ourselves, but in a labyrinth we are invited to find ourselves. The labyrinth’s single path allows the walker to relax the intellect and be present with the journey itself in the present moment. By opening up ourselves to the moment, we are more available to connect with the sacred within ourselves and with all of creation.

Walking the Labyrinth

Walking the Labyrinth is a 3-stage process: the journey into the center allows you to relax, focus and let go of the details of your life. The center is a place of meditation, illumination and prayer. The return journey allows you to integrate what you received during your walk and time to re-engage in the world.

There is no right way to walk a labyrinth. You are invited to discover your own special way. You may find some of the following suggestions helpful, especially if you are exploring the labyrinth for the first time.

• Before you begin, take a moment to relax and let go of your cares and concerns.

• Become aware of the beauty around you and be aware of your breathing.

• Walk silently at your own pace, pausing for reflection whenever you wish.

• Be open to any insights or prayers that may come to you.

• If you encounter other walkers, feel free to pass them or let them pass you.

• When you reach the center, stay as long as you like. Be open to what is stirring in you.

• Return on the same path, winding your way back into the world.

• Be mindful of what walking has opened in you.

• When you complete the walk, turn and give thanks for this time of quiet being and reflection.

You may wish to sit for a moment and reflect on the experience. Return again as often as you wish.